Memento said:

Did the beer miss their mouths like everything else about them?

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You beat me to that one @Memento ! Was going to ask if drinking that much would've improved their aim

Question becomes does the agreement make it so people on the covid list don't count for the 80 man or not. With the list likely being a short term thing I'd imagine they count towards the 80 while being on it.

Countdown to Camp: Rams running backs coach Thomas Brown likes group's versatility

Although Rams running backs coach Thomas Brown hasn't had a chance to work with his group on the field yet – the COVID-19 pandemic forced a virtual offseason program and prevented players and coaches from gathering in-person this spring – 2019 film and individual meetings have helped him form solid first impressions of the the talent at his disposal entering Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union.

For Brown, what stands out and excites him the most is the versatility of his unit.

"We have a core group of guys who are very talented but also have different skill sets, which, to me, helps from a game planning standpoint in being able to build around those guys' skillsets, being able attack defenses week in and week out," Brown told theRams.com in a phone interview this week.

Sixth-year veteran Malcolm Brown is the most experienced of the group and coming off a season with career-highs in carries (69), rushing yards (255) and rushing touchdowns (5). The former University of Texas standout originally joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and has spent his entire career with the club so far.

"I just love his competitive nature, his mindset, and also his ability to be able to lead the group," Brown said. "Just from his experience but also because of the way he's made up from an alpha-male type mentality."

Meanwhile, Darrell Henderson as a rookie flashed the ability to contribute in multiple ways out of the backfield, rushing 39 times for 147 yards and catching four passes for 37 yards in 13 games last season.

"Very explosive back that has some good short-area quickness, does have some power in the knees too, but also can be a weapon to maybe utilize out of the backfield from a receiving-game standpoint, when it comes to beating guys on-on-one and catching the football," Brown said.

Rookie Cam Akers also offers a similar skillset. In three seasons at Florida State, the Rams' highest 2020 draft pick carried the ball 586 times for 2,874 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, adding 69 receptions for 486 receiving yards and seven scores in the passing game.

"Really excited about (him), know a little bit about from a history standpoint, just from trying to recruit the guy when I was (coaching) in college," Brown said. "But a guy that can potentially grow into an every-down back, that can I do it all I think. Can play between the tackles, can play in space. Obviously the pass protection aspect of it is going to be the biggest part for any running back, especially young backs, coming into this league with the different number of looks and pressures you'll have a chance to go against week in and week out."

"A guy that I've continued to grow some confidence in, just meeting with from a virtual standpoint, of him understanding more about the offense and having the chance to come in and compete," Brown said.

For additional competition, the running back room added an undrafted free agent this offseason in SMU's Xavier Jones. Brown's task in his first season with Los Angeles will be to figure out the most effective rotation or combination of players to replace former starter Todd Gurley, whose March release vacated 223 of the backfield's 401 total carries from last season.

Pass protection and ball security will be two key attributes evaluated by Brown as he navigates giving different players opportunities during camp, as well as a couple others.

"Guys that can be able to create for themselves is kind of the one stamp I always put on them, about being able to take an average play and make something out of it, meaning being able to get more than what the players block for," Brown said. "A guy that's going to be consistent every single day. It's easy for guys to come in Day 1, Week 1, and be excited and perform well, but can you be consistent over the duration of camp?"

Brown said he will be divvying up "a bunch" of reps throughout camp to gage what players can handle. Ultimately, though, it comes down to a player's resume and what they put on film.

"I'm big on competition, so I'm excited to see these guys get after it and the mentality they bring every single day," Brown said. "We'll see how it shakes out after camp."

2019 NFC West (Points Allowed Per Game)

San Fran: (19.5ppg 7th)
Sheattle: (24.2ppg 19th)
LA: (22.8ppg 17th)
Arizona: (27.6ppg 28th)

2020 Notable Additions/Subtractions (Defense)

San Fran: traded DT Buckner, drafted DT Kinlaw.

Sheattle: lost (so it seems now) DE Clowney, traded for S Adams, drafted LB Brooks, DE Taylor, and DE Robinson.

LA: lost OLB Fowler, ILB Littleton, and CB Robey-Coleman, signed DT Robinson and OLB Floyd, drafted OLB Lewis, S Burgess, S Fuller, and ILB Johnston.

Arizona: signed OLB Kennard, drafted OLB Simmons, DT Fotu, DT Lawrence, and ILB Weaver.

Summary

49ers' offseason was primarily treading water defensively by finding cap relief in order to retain Armstead, so they are looking at somewhere from a slight dip to similar level of performance. Still think they win the division, however, because they made some nice additions on offense.

Sheattle's offseason flew under the radar but passing on Clowney (whose film was fucking terrible with them) was good. Adding Adams brought in a high end fit. And I really like their draft haul, particularly Brooks & Robinson. Their defense is young and is going to be better IMO. I expect them to finish somewhere around that 10th range with a more potent unit in 2020.

LA lost a very high energy edge in Fowler, and a better-than-average slot CB in NRC. They did boost their front seven and as a result should be more stout up front, and they boosted their depth in the secondary in prep for Johnson leaving in FA after the season. I expect improvement, but not drastic. Rams' primary improvement in 2020 should be on offense.

Arizona lost some defenders but nobody noteworthy. Their addition of Kennard wasn't particularly noteworthy. I did however like their draft, with a very good haul that should help their defense in coming seasons. Simmons & Fotu in particular I expect we'll come to hate. Guessing we'll see their defense get a slight boost, maybe climb out of the cellar to the 20th range. But I also expect big offensive improvement from them, so they'll be a potential playoff team depending on how much defensive improvement they can find.

49ers are a playoff certainty. Seattle and LA are likely playoff-level teams (whether or not they get in). Arizona is potentially a playoff-level team.

Great to hear. Thanks for sharing the great news!

More questions than answers as Rams assemble for training camp

Shortly after his team’s disappointing 2019 season ended without a playoff berth, Rams coach Sean McVay overhauled his coaching staff and, as the offseason continued, his team’s roster.

But the COVID-19 pandemic prevented new coordinators Kevin O’Connell, Brandon Staley and John Bonamego and other coaches from working with returning players and new additions.

Players brought in to fill voids left by the departures of stars such as running back Todd Gurley and linebackers Dante Fowler, Cory Littleton and Clay Matthews largely remain mysteries. So too are nine drafted players and other undrafted rookies.

That means there are more questions than usual as the Rams begin training camp.

Here are six they will try to answer before the Sept. 13 opener against the Dallas Cowboys:

Who replaces Gurley?

In 2018, the Rams gave Gurley what was then the richest contract for a running back in NFL history. Two years later, they cut him to save cash.

Veteran Malcolm Brown, second-year pro Darrell Henderson and rookie Cam Akers will probably share the responsibility of replacing a player who was the league’s offensive player of the year in 2017.

Brown, a sixth-year pro, is proven, though mainly as a backup. Henderson, a third-round draft pick in 2019, did not get much opportunity as a rookie and suffered a late-season ankle injury that required surgery.

In April, the Rams selected Akers in the second round with the 52nd overall pick, their first in the draft. Akers rushed for 1,144 yards and scored 18 touchdowns last season at Florida State.

John Kelly, a sixth-round pick in 2018, also is in a position group.

Thomas Brown is the new running backs coach. He replaced Skip Peete, who was not retained by McVay and is now a member of the Cowboys staff.

Does Staley have enough time to install a more effective defense?

Staley, 37, coached outside linebackers for the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos before McVay tabbed him to replace Wade Phillips, an NFL coach since 1976.

During the virtual offseason program, several Rams defensive players raved about Staley. But none have been on the field to run his scheme, which he has said would not look vastly different than the hybrid 3-4 the Rams ran under Phillips.

Last season, the Rams ranked 12th in passing defense, 19th in rushing defense and 17th in scoring defense.

Star lineman Aaron Donald, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and safety John Johnson are leaders of a unit that will be young and inexperienced at inside linebacker and unproven on the edges.

The Rams signed free agent edge rusher Leonard Floyd and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson.

Is quarterback Jared Goff ready to bounce back?

The biggest questions surrounding Goff going into the 2019 season concerned his ability to rebound from a poor Super Bowl performance, and whether the Rams would get a new deal done for the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft.

On the eve of the opener, he signed a $134-million extension that included a then-record $110 million in guarantees. Then he went out and had his worst season since becoming the fulltime starter in 2017.

Goff passed for 22 touchdowns, with 16 interceptions. It marked the first time that Goff, 25, regressed statistically in those categories from a previous season.

McVay is the play-caller and de facto offensive coordinator, but after going without a titled coordinator in 2018 and 2019, McVay expects O’Connell to carry out many of the same duties Matt LaFleur performed on the staff in 2017. O’Connell is also the untitled quarterbacks coach and will attend to Goff.

Can receiver Josh Reynolds replace Brandin Cooks as a deep threat?

The cost-cutting trade that sent Cooks to the Houston Texans elevated Reynolds into the projected lineup with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.

At 6-foot-3, Reynolds is a tower compared to the speedy 5-10 Cooks, but he will have to convince opponents he is worthy of respect as similar consistent deep threat.

The Rams drafted Van Jefferson in the second round. The son of former NFL receiver Shawn Jefferson is talented, but without the opportunity to be on the field with teammates during the offseason program he is probably in line to begin the season as the fourth receiver.

Who will start at linebacker?

Before suffering a season-ending chest injury, Micah Kiser appeared on track to start alongside Littleton last season. Kiser’s setback created opportunity for undrafted free agent Troy Reeder.

Now with Littleton playing for the Las Vegas Raiders, Kiser and Reeder are regarded as frontrunners to start at the inside spots in a group that also includes Travin Howard, Kenny Young and rookie Clay Johnston.

The Rams need Floyd, the ninth pick in the 2016 draft, to perform better on the outside than he did for the Bears. Samson Ebukam, Obo Okoronkwo, Natrez Patrick or rookie Terrell Lewis — currently on the COVID reserve list — could start opposite Floyd.

With no preseason games, how will Bonamego and McVay choose a kicker?

More than ever, every kick in practice will count as Lirim Hajrullahu, Austin MacGinnis and rookie Sam Sloman compete to replace Greg Zuerlein, the 2018 playoff hero now kicking for the Cowboys.

Hajrullahu is a Canadian Football League veteran and has made many pressure kicks as a pro.

MacGinnis performed well in the defunct Alliance of American Football and the XFL before signing with the Rams.

Sloman, a seventh-round draft pick, impressed at Miami-Ohio.

Does anyone remember a website that hosted all 32 teams? I can't remember the name of it, but it was my first introduction to online asses in the late 90's.

CGI_Ram said:

Heck they all were back then. Ernie Conwell. Pace. Bruce. I got a picture with them all that year. It was 1998 or 1999... camp then you could get close to players.

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Go with 1999...Makes for a better story... When the legend becomes fact, print the legend

What’s the name of that fucking rover again?

So Ram said:

What’s not to have a good discussion with all our creative minds. Sometimes some of them keep me scratching my head

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No doubt member started topics are the best.

ROD-BOT tries to find stuff to inspire us!

NoCoNite said:

Ramsey a cancer.

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Sure hasnt been on the Rams, that's what I'll judge him on.

Selassie I said:

Fucking Sehorn

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No, but Angie Harmon....Yes.

Elmgrovegnome said:

I am a cheapskate when it comes to memorabilia. I've bought all but one jersey on eBay for $10. I only bought former Ram greats, so SJ, Ike, Faulk. The only new one I got was for my son and that's an Aaron Donald on sale at the time for $65.00. So no regrets there.

My only Rams memorabilia regret is in what I did not keep. My Rams jersey as a kid from the 70's and my Rams winter coat with yellow vinyl sleeves and matching hat. My kid would have loved them.

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Cheapskate 1, meet cheapskate 2, lol.

I've spent $$ over the years collecting Rams themed sportscards, posters, videos, a jersey, toy helmets, magazines, game programs, books etc, but that's back when they were cheap by today's standards. So not a waste. I honestly can't think of anything I wasted money on. Most of the Rams shirts and 2 donald jerseys were given to me as gifts. That 2003 Pisa Tinasamoa jersey that I gave to goodwill a few years ago was also given to me. So if I had to list something, it would be sunday ticket/directv during the Rams lean years. (Been a free streamer since 2011)

I don't buy Rams merch any more and won't be in the future. So I'm sitting on my collection for now. But some of these stories (Blackmon wow and a 6k SB) of worst financial disasters deserve top billing!

Ok everyone, who is taking Russell Wilson and/or Lamar Jackson over Patrick Mahomes??

Come on now, ANYONE????????????

I do believe we'll be using 2 TE sets more, but based on McVay's recent past, Cooper Kupp's effectiveness out of the slot means we're still going to run a lot of 11 formation, and if that's the case, Reynolds is going to be one of the WRs. I actually think adding Reynolds over Cook gives us some versatility we didn't have. Reynolds has been effective in various spots on the field, he's a very good downfield blocker, and he's going to get a lot of opportunities for us.

oldnotdead said:

Lirim is the most likely to get the position. He's been battled tested, with good range and better accuracy than Greg. I've seen way too many college rookies meltdown in the NFL. It takes them a couple of years for most to really acclimate to the NFL game. After missing the playoffs last year to Zuerlein's misses I don't see the Rams taking the chance on a rookie if Lirim simply looks as advertised in practice. This is especially true since there are no preseason games to see Sloman. The Grey Cup is a lot closer to the NFL than a college bowl game and Lirim's consistency over the years can't be ignored. IMO Sloman makes the protected part of the PS where he can't be poached or have to go through waivers, as COVID insurance.

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^This^

Brown runs some pretty good routes and has some good hands for a guy thats weakness is his route running and hands.

Snaz said:

Stopping the run is very important against the 49ers and Ravens type. Rams have been horrid at that for years.
A Robinson and a stout ILB can make a difference, allowing for that all important 2nd and 3rd and longs.

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The Robinson signing was a nice addition. 2 year deal & I think he will be a better fit than Suh was.

Ebukham gets a starting role. I think he will be better against the run than Clay.

Floyd will be a big question mark on the kind of impact he brings ?

Kiser I like if he can stay healthy.

Reeder is a guy that came out of nowhere , but now he has a season under his belt.

The safety’s will play a bigger part of run stopping. There are others .

I'm going to be long winded here as I've been through a few of these.

A couple things I would consider. One of the most important ones I would say is what kind of feeling you get from those you will work with/for.

I moved from CA to Oregon many years ago. I had a very good feeling about everyone I interviewed with. I was with that company for 10 years before I finally took one of those "great" offers. What a nightmare. I then took another job in a completely different field because not only did it feel right but I was in a position where I could honestly negotiate things like vacation time, when I would need to go through ownership to make a decision, my schedule, etc... Flash forward 7 years and I helped my very great owners negotiate the sale of the business. Unfortunately, I didn't have a real good feeling about the new owners so when I was offered a job from someone else I ALSO didn't have a good feeling about, I jumped ship. Another nightmare. He was the worst kind of micromanager and used to spend over an hour on the phone with me from 1000 miles away complaining about all his other managers. He would often get involved, piss off all our contractors and vendors and leave me trying to re-establish relationships. I finally had him fly in for a meeting where I started in on him. Finally, he asked, "Well Stu... Where do you see yourself in five years?". My response - "Not here talking with you.". It was totally unscripted but I instantly felt a flood of relief. His expression was priceless.

The other thing I would really consider is quality of life for you and your family. I kind of disagree with the notion that your situation will be easier to deal with. Like it or not, it is you that will have to cope with how the move effects everyone in your family including YOU. If the new situation makes your life a living hell, they will pay for that too. Chicago seems to be a huge difference from your current life IIRR. More money doesn't mean a better life.

Will there be more violence? Will traffic suck? Are the schools a good place for your kids? Does your wife like the area? Those are all real considerations. But if you get the feeling you will not be happy at work or where you will be living, I think that may tell you all you need to know.

Do your research. Go to places like Glass Door (I think it is) and see how the business rates for work place satisfaction. Look into the area where you'll be working/living. Look into the schools.

If it makes sense and you have a good feeling, go for it. But if you feel like you will be hating life? Maybe not.

Good luck Juggs.

Soul Surfer said:

I think he realized he already had enough raw recruits and wanted to get a couple of veterans hence; Whitworth and Sullivan to add to Saffold.

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Well of course The Rams needed veteran leadership in the locker room. Especially with a rookie QB coming back who never won a game as a starter.
Saffold needed as well because he could not provide that at the time.

Greg Robinson effect.

CGI_Ram said:

The world will miss this woman.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/nickveronica/status/1287750204674932736?s=21

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Famous Bills fan?

The Beautiful thing about Ramsey is his youth.

Assuming we sign him, he allows us to lock down the division teams passing games for years. Meanwhile Peterson and Sherman's careers are starting their decline and coming to an end, further boosting our offensive dominance against our division.

Memento said:

WHAT.

This list is total shit. It doesn't count. Never will count. How does D.K. fucking Metcalf get higher than Kupp? Metcalf had a much worse season than Kupp! In every aspect of the game! Had less receptions, less yards, less touchdowns.

What the holy motherfucking FUCK are these players smoking?! Because I'd love to have it for my leg muscle spasms! This is total elephant shit. Because bullshit and horseshit aren't nearly enough to describe how fucking shit this list is.

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Jimmy G was in the 50's or some shit it's a big joke. Guy can't even be trusted to run a two minute drill before the half.

How dare you!

If I had not passed gas a moment ago, I would be giving you hell right now.

EasyE said:

he found out


yep....disabled lives matter too....

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Given that I have high-functioning autism myself and am in a wheelchair, I appreciate that. Disabled lives definitely matter.